A Fall from Grace, and His Rise from Disgrace

Preparing for Exams

  Izuku snickered. Ochako smiled at the masked teen.

  "Are you looking forward to the exam next week?" She asked.

  Izuku nodded.

  "I feel confident that we are ready for whatever test Nezu throws at us."

  ____________

  Aizawa's general physical training was horrendous. The students were forced to lift huge weights, run for an hour straight, do an indefinite number of pushup, sit-ups and squats, and a quirkless spar at the end.

  The only people still standing were Izuku, Shoto and Izumi, who were used to much more rigorous training. The rest of the class were spread eagled on the floor, gasping for air.

  "So... Manly..." Kirishima wheezed, staring at the trio that were barely out of breath.

  _______________

  The group studying continued over the course of the week, more of their classmates joining over time. Eventually everyone but Bakugo was attending the sessions.

  A few of the students received hints from the other hero course and some upperclassmen that they would be battling robots in the practical exam.

  Kaminari and Mina in particular were jumping for joy at that news.

_______________

  At last, the written exams they'd been studying for were over. Everyone was happy with how their exam went, a few of the ones who struggled thanking Izuku and Yayorozu. The practical exams were still on their way however.

  Aizawa stood at the front of the class. To everyone else he looked pretty normal.

  Izuku noticed the slight amusement in his stance, the way his eyes were more focused than usual. His face was free of his scarf, and the corners of his lips twitched every few minutes.

  The teachers were up to something. Something 'rational' was about to happen.

  "Get your costumes on and head out to Field Omega. Your practical exams begin in half an hour. Remember, whoever doesn't pass doesn't get to go to summer camp."

  Izuku glared at his father from behind the mask. The hero caught his eye, and a knowing grin broke out onto the teacher's face for a split second, before he became neutral again.

  Izuku got a pat on the shoulder as he left the classroom, his case in hand.

_____________

  They were fighting the teachers. Damn you Dadzawa.

  They hadn't announced it yet, but they were all stood there in a row. Yayorozu and Izumi had figured it out too, if their expressions were enough to go by.

  "So, here's what you'll be doing.." Aizawa began.

  "Were fighting robots!!" Mina interrupted.

  "Hell yeah!" Kaminari shouted, striking a pose.

  "Actually.." a muffled voice said.

  Nezu popped up from Aizawa's capture weapon.

  "Due to certain circumstances, the practical exam will be completely different this year!" The rat exclaimed.

  Izuku noticed Bakugo flinch at the rodent's appearance. What was he so scared about?

  Mina and Kaminari looked like the world was ending around them.

  Nezu chuckled to himself.

  "You will be put into pairs, and will be fighting two on one against one of the teachers!"

  Izuku relaxed. Two on one was much better than what he'd thought was going on.

  A few of the class weren't as relieved as Izuku.

  "W-what..?" Kaminari asked.

  Nezu ignored him, continuing his speech.

  "Now, onto the pairs!"

  Shoto and Yayorozu against Dadzawa.

  Kirishima and Sato against Cementoss.

  Jirou and Koda against Present Mic.

  Ochako and Aoyama against Thirteen.

  Hagakure and Shoji against Snipe.

  Iida and Ojiro against Powerloader.

  Tsu and Tokoyami against Ectoplasm.

  Sero and Mina against Midnight.

  Bakugo and Kaminari against Nezu.

  That left...

  "Mask and Yagi are a team..."

  Izuku pulled his mask off and smiled at his sister. She returned the grin with a fist bump.

  "And their opponent is..."

  A rushing of wind drew Izuku's gaze upwards.

  "I am here! To fight!"

  All Might landed before the pair, an intimidating gleam in his eye.

  "I won't pull any punches Students."

  All intimidation was lost on All Might's part as people noticed Izuku's expression.

  His smile was almost feral, the torn, ragged side of his face twisted into a grotesque grin. He was chuckling softly under his breath, his eyes gleaming under the shadow cast by his hair.

  "This is going to be fun."